AbstractThe asymptotic‐numerical method (ANM) is a path following technique which is based on high order power series expansions. In this paper, we analyse its behaviour when it is applied to the continuation of a branch with bifurcation points. We show that when the starting point of the continuation is near a bifurcation, the radius of convergence of the power series is exactly the distance from the starting point to the bifurcation. This leads to an accumulation of small steps around the bifurcation point. This phenomenon is related to the presence of inevitable imperfections in the FE models. We also explain that, depending on the maximal tolerated residual error (out‐of‐balance error), the ANM continuation may continue to follow the fundamental path or it may turn onto the bifurcated path without applying any branch switching technique. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.